Bath Spa University has been ranked among the UK’s best universities for its environmental and ethical commitments.
It has been awarded a First Class rating in the latest People and Planet University League Table.
Compiled annually by the UK’s largest student campaigning network People & Planet, the table is the only comprehensive and independent ranking of universities by their ethical and environmental criteria. 
Bath Spa, based on the outskirts of the city at Newton St Loe, pictured, ranks 28th out of 151 UK universities. Each is judged on 13 criteria including their environmental policy, audit and human resources, and their performance in areas such as carbon reduction, waste and water recycling, student engagement, curriculum for sustainable development, energy efficiency, sustainable food and workers’ rights.
Depending on their scores, the universities are given First Class, 2:1, 2:2, Third, or Fail ratings.
Bath Spa achieved an overall score of 61.1% and scored particularly well in a number of the criteria including; environmental auditing and key impacts (both 100%), carbon reduction (90%) and environmental staff (75%).
Its sustainability manager Dr Julian Greaves said: “We take sustainability and environmental stewardship seriously at Bath Spa University and are delighted to see that our efforts have been recognised once again in this year’s People and Planet Green League, with another First-Class place.
“While much of the good work we have been doing over the last couple of years is not recognised in the Green League score card, it is nonetheless a welcome recognition of all our efforts.”
The report is now in its eighth year. Click here for the full results. The University of Bath came 114th in the ranking, gaining it a Third.
Environmentalist and founder of Forum for the Future Jonathon Porritt said: “There are still too many universities who do not give sustainability the attention or significance it deserves. Never has this information [for the People & Planet University League] been more urgently needed or more valuable – especially from a student perspective.”
